I am so tired of reading about our property taxes being increased each and every year because of the so-called municipal budget.
Even with their spending cuts, officials still manage to spend more than what they have while continuing to put the burden on us to make up the difference. Why can’t they learn to spend within their means as we are expected to do?
While the people who make up the budgets are subject to the tax increases as well, because they continue to receive cost-of-living salary increases, they are not as affected by it as are the general population of private-sector workers who haven’t seen salary increases in years, causing us to dig deeper into our pockets and give up many simple pleasures in life such as the occasional movie or eating out.
These pleasures are a thing of the past. Now we shop only with coupons and maybe rent an occasional movie so we can keep our budget in check. And as we keep filling the trough, they continue to deplete it.
They speak of a $99 tax increase in South Amboy and a $72 tax increase in Sayreville, and that’s on an average assessed property of $143,000, which means that properties with a higher assessment will be paying more than the $99 or $72 increase. And in Old Bridge, where I reside, the taxes will be increased a mere $42.35 annually based on a home assessed at $150,000. Truth be told, there aren’t many homes assessed that low in these or most municipalities .
Pity those on fixed incomes and/or who are currently unemployed, because if this keeps up, they will be homeless as well. It’s no wonder why so many people, young and old, are leaving the great state of New Jersey.
Last one out, please turn off the lights.
Natalie Norman Old Bridge